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Hello, Raspberry Hot Chocolate Bar goodness!
Yes, I like to incorporate chocolate into my breakfast every.single.chance I get! I don’t see it as any different than adding chocolate chips to muffins. And I’m not going to apologize for the spots of color in my baked goods.
Lately I have had some not so favorable comments about this Almond Joy Banana Bread…I am fully prepared for the bashing these granola bars will take for the color in them. Bring it on…it won’t stop me from throwing colored M&M’s into more things. Actually it just might make me do it more. I’m kind of like that! 
This bar recipe has become my favorite go-to granola bar. It is so easy to customize it for other flavors. Last month I had the thought that hot chocolate would be great in them. Turns out I was right…I only know this because the pan of Peppermint Hot Chocolate granola bars disappeared rather quickly. Probably from all the “just one more” bites I kept taking.
So, when I started thinking of doing more recipes with hot chocolate, I went to the grocery store and started looking for some other flavors. As soon as I saw the raspberry flavor, I knew that I had to try that for the bars. Finding the raspberry M&M’s in the candy aisle was just the icing on the cake….or should I say the chocolate in my bar. I love these pretty pink and red candies. They are the perfect color and flavor for Valentine’s day treats.
My daughter went to a sleepover last weekend. It was the perfect “excuse” to bake yet another treat. Actually I was happy to get these Raspberry Hot Chocolate bars out of the house. I couldn’t stop eating little bites. It is possible that I like this version the best out of all the ones I have made.
Let’s just talk about this sleepover for just one minute. Can you believe my daughter told me to make sure I wore make up when I picked her up? Apparently I just look better that way. Ha! Yes, I walk around my house with no makeup on and sometimes even mismatched clothes. Or better yet…I have been wearing my tight jeans this week. My thought is that it will stop me from eating more sweets if I can’t breathe! It has worked one day so far.
Ok, let’s get to the bars because really that’s why you are here right? To scroll through my ramblings and get to the recipe?
The texture of these bars is soft and chewy. They aren’t hard and crumbly like the store bought ones. If you like the hard ones, you could probably bake these an extra 5-10 minutes and get that texture. But I like all my baked goods to be soft, so I pulled them out of the oven at 22 minutes. I almost second guessed myself because they looked underdone. For one split second I thought about baking them longer. They had an almost undone look to them.
DON”T bake them any longer. They will set up as they cool and become this perfect chewy granola bar texture. The raspberry hot chocolate is subtle but definitely there. The raspberry M&M’s help enhance the raspberry flavor just a little bit more.
If you don’t like that much chocolate on your breakfast goods, go ahead and skip the CandiQuik drizzle. Like I said, I always look for ways to include chocolate in every meal, but that’s just me.
These are the perfect on the run bar. Package them individually in ziplock bags and grab one as you run out the door for school or work.
The only thing you will regret is not grabbing TWO for the road.
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These quick and easy granola bars get their flavor from a raspberry hot chocolate mix and raspberry M&M's.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the vanilla and eggs and beat again. Mix together the flour, oats, and salt and slowly add to the butter mixture. Stir in 1/2 cup of the M&M's and the marshmallow bits.
- Spread mixture into a greased 9x13 pan. Press the extra 1/4 cup of M&M's into the top of the batter. Bake at 350* for 22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- Cut into 12 bars. Drizzle the bars with melted CandiQuik. Let set. Store in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
Want to try a few more of our favorite granola bars?
Caramel and Apple chunks give these Caramel Apple Bars the perfect texture.
Chocolate and Peppermint is always a winner in these Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bars.
Shared with: Show & Share, Whatsits, What’s Cooking, 52 Mantels, Treasures, Party Time, Creative Time Out, Chic & Crafty, Inspiration Gallery, Kitchen Fun, I’m Lovin It, Weekend Potluck, One Creative Weekend, Weekend Wrap Up, Super Sweet, Sundae Scoop,
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Jocelyn is the baker, photographer, and writer behind Inside BruCrew Life. She is married to her best friend, and they have three great kids. She spends her days baking sweet treats, and then trying to find ways to give the treats away without eating them all. Grab a cup of coffee and visit while she shares life from their kitchen.
Jocelyn, you just keep putting candy in your breakfast foods, I love it! Theses bars sound fantastic.
As for your daughter, I have this fear of one day showing up (or worse yet, being asked not to show up) at a school function and my kids pretending they don’t know me, lol. I never wear make-up at home and half the time I want to get right in the kitchen, I don’t get dressed until after lunch. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to answer the door for UPS in my pajamas at 11 am, what they must think of me, hehe.
Joan@Chocolateandmore recently posted..Cream Cheese Mints
Since you love it so much, I will keep it up..just for you
I keep waiting for the day one of my kids will totally ignore me too…they will get the biggest hug and kiss if that ever does happen. And it will be right in front of their friends…oh, I can’t wait!!! I usually just ignore the door if I’m still in my pj’s. Most of them just leave the package and I can sneak out and get it! LOL!
Girl – you’re killing me! I’m supposed to be on my diet now! These look ah-mazing!! I can’t believe your daughter told you to put on makeup before picking her up! Is this what I have to look forward to? LOL
I think my jaw dropped when she told me her request! I guess at 11 we have now reached the age of caring what others think. It kind of made me laugh though, because I don’t go anywhere without makeup. Apparently she hasn’t noticed that fact!
I agree with Joan! You are such a rebel
I threaten my daughter with showing up at her class room in an embarrassing outfit or a robe or something if she doesn’t do what she’s supposed to. One day I really will! These bars look incredible, of course. You are awesome!
Mandy’s Recipe Box recently posted..Totally Tasty Tuesdays
That is a good threat…I will have to remember that one for the next time my daughter isn’t behaving! I’m sure it will work instantly!!! And I happen to think you are awesome too
I need to start incorporating more chocolate into my breakfast! These bars look SO yummy and perfect for mornings on the go, which lately, seems like every morning lol. And isn’t that hot cocoa DELISH?! The peppermint version is my all-time fave! Now I’m gonna have to peep for the raspberry one!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Almond Sugar Valentine Cookies
These are the perfect bars to grab for those fast on the go mornings! And of course chocolate is a must
These look amazing! I wish we could get different flavour M&M’s here, all we get is chocolate or peanut! I think I need to start incorporating chocolate into my breakfast…!
Annie @ Annie’s Noms recently posted..Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
What? No fun M&M flavors? That is sad! I would suggest incorporating more chocolate in your breakfast for sure…to make up for no fun flavors!!!
Jocelyn, I love these bars! And your photos! I need to work on my food styling, you are very good at it! Raspberry M&Ms are my newest favorite flavor besides the pretzel M&Ms… yum! I want like three of these bars for breakfast right now lol!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted..strawberry chocolate chip cookies.
Ok Sally! You totally just made my day!!! I adore all your food photography, so to have you like mine is a huge compliment!!! Thank you so much! And yes, these M&M’s are so good!!!
I had no idea there were raspberry M&M’s….but I should have known that you would find them. I love all the fun candies you find! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next
Megan @ The Pink Flour recently posted..Almond Cupcakes with Strawberry Cream Frosting
haha! I do tend to always be on the lookout for the newest candy flavors. I have seen the raspberry ones at Walmart, Target and some local grocery stores if you are wanting to find them. I recommend getting some even if you are just going to eat them by the handfuls
Oh my these are awesome, and who knew land o’lakes had raspberry hot chocolate!!?!? Love these!
katie recently posted..{Giveaway} Primula® Flavor It™ Beverage System
Thanks! It is such a fun hot chocolate flavor…to drink or bake with !!!
These are a great combination! I forgot to tell you that I made your Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bars over the Christmas holidays but I substituted the peppermint with Andes Mint Chocolate Chips and I used After Eight Mint Hot Chocolate. My family LOVED them! They were amazing so I bet these will be just as good!
Liz recently posted..Orange & Chocolate Muffins
That does sound great!!! Thanks for sharing with me…I’m so glad your family liked them!!!
Wow! These bars look so scrumptious, Jocelyn! I love the texture and of course the flavors. YUM!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet recently posted..Glazed Brown Butter Blondies
You got it right! The texture and flavor is totally what makes these bars!!!
It looks like I need to go on a hunt for raspberry M&M’s! I would love to have these around to snack on!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies
These are the perfect ones to snack on. I hope you are able to find them. Try Walmart, Target, or Walgreens.
These are gorgeous! I love those Raspberry candies. I just found the cherry ones again, super excited!!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Skinny Cherry Cupcakes for Valentine’s Day
Thanks girl! I almost got the cherry ones too. But I showed restraint and only bought these ones…for now! We won’t talk about the Reese’s hearts and chocolate hearts that found their way into my cart!!!
Mmm..raspberry and chocolate. We have the same thoughts. I just posted my Chocolate Raspberry Rice Krispie Treats. Target has raspberry chocolate hugs by Hershey’s. You’ll need to pick some up.
Carole @ The Sweet Chick recently posted..Chocolate Raspberry Rice Krispie Treats
Love that we posted the same flavors. Your krispie treats look yummy!!! I do need to get some of those hugs. Now I will have to go back to Target…thanks a lot! (I really don’t mind
)
Okay, now these are my kind of granola bar! LOVE the spots of color!
You are going to the Six Sister’s Conference next month right? I’m 99% sure I’m gonna take the plunge and register! I’m hoping there will be some “familiar” faces!!
Kristy @ Sweet Treats & More recently posted..White Chocolate-Peanut Butter Covered Quaker Cereal Sqaures
I am so glad you said you liked the color. After a few negative comments, I was getting bummed. (But it didn’t stop me from baking with color again
Yes, I am going to the BYB conference next month. I would love to meet up with you if you go. Keep me posted!!!
You had me at chocolate for breakfast! These look so good and adorable with the M&M’s. Love your recipes!
Raquel recently posted..Green Chili Pork Tacos
Chocolate for breakfast gets me every time too! Thank you so much for the sweet comment Raquel!!!
I’m still thinking about that Almond Joy Banana bread! Now I’ll be thinking about these yummy bars! I’d totally eat breakfast every day if these were in my kitchen! And I had to laugh a bit about the whole make up thing. I rarely wear make up, and my usual uniform is some sort of fleece-one day I’m going to totally embarrass my kids!
Tanya Schroeder recently posted..Vanilla Vinaigrette over Mixed Greens and Pomegranates
I’m sure our kids will get over it…of course we will probably never hear the end of it! Maybe more bars like this will keep them quiet???
These sound amazing! I am pinning to our Inspiration Gallery Feature Board! Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you so much Jaime! I appreciate the pin!
Is there supposed to be a hot chocolate mix in the ingredients? I need to use up some but I didn’t see it called for in your recipe even though the intro makes it sound like it’s an ingredient
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) recently posted..Pumpkin Gogi Granola Cookies
Whoops! I missed that ingredient when I was typing. Thank you for catching that and letting me know…that is kind of an important one
Have a great day!!!
Thanks!!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) recently posted..Mellowcreme Hot Chocolate Truffles
Ugh, Those look amaaaaaaaazing. Why do you wave such tasty treats in front of my face after I just started a diet? Haha. Also, your pictures are absolutely adorable
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Maria recently posted..How to Be a Bartender
I would say I was sorry…but that would be a small white lie. Thank you so much for your sweet comment! Photography is something I am trying to do better at!!!
these look amazing!!
Would love it if you could share this on my Link Party!
Natasha @ http://www.serenityyou.com
Natasha recently posted..Serenity Saturday : 72
I’m with you, any change to add more chocolate and it’s all good in my books. Now, if only M&Ms would last long enough around here to bake with them.
Roxana | Roxana’s Home Baking recently posted..Flatbread with roasted tomatoes
I hear you…I usually have to buy the candy and bake with it the same day, or else it goes “missing”.
I am so excited, I now have all the ingredients to make these!!! I can’t wait! Thanks for sharing these at One CreativeWeekend!
Tanya Schroeder recently posted..Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry over Peanut Butter Noodles
I can’t wait to hear what you think! They are my favorite granola bar right now!!!
Oh so heavenly!! These look amazing!! Oh I am going to have to make these for my husband – he would love them!
Rachel recently posted..Valentine’s Day Bunting
I am so glad you liked them. I hope your husband enjoys them too!!!
Just letting you know that I linked to this post on my page about Gourmet Hot Chocolate Recipes: http://www.zujava.com/gourmet-hot-chocolate-recipe
Bonita recently posted..Day #31 A New Perspective